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After a remarkable four-year run of winning three championships in three different leagues and reaching four consecutive title matches, the Western New York Flash's 2014 season was a forgettable one. WNY (8-12-4) finished in seventh place in the National Women's Soccer League, missing the playoffs a year after it was regular-season champion and runner-up in the playoffs. A whopping 11 of the Flash's 12 losses were by one goal.

So their team awards given to Carli Lloyd, Brittany Taylor and Samantha Kerr, ring a bit hollow even though each winner is certainly worthy. Lloyd, 32, the United States national team midfielder and second-year Flash player, was named MVP. She had eight goals and five assists in 19 matches. She also was named to the NWSL's Second XI on Friday.

"Carli is a true professional on and off the field and, for me, one of the most dangerous goal scoring midfielders in the world," Flash GM and coach Aaran Lines said in a statement released by the club. "To see her add five assists to her tally has been very satisfying because this was an area we wanted to improve this season. Last year she had 10 goals, which was a great accomplishment, but she didn't have any assists so I think her contributions this season were great to see."

Brittany Taylor, a first-team all-league pick last year, was voted WNY's Defender of the Year. She was the only player on the team who played all 2,160 minutes. She added two goals and assist. She wasn't as good as last year, but "BT" again was a rock in the back for a defensive unit that changed a lot from 2013 and often struggled in front of inexperienced goalkeepers. "Brittany was one of two returning players on our back line this season and her leadership was very important to our defense," Lines said. "After a strong first season with us last year, Brittany continues to establish herself as one of the top center backs in the NWSL."

Kerr, a 20-year old Australian forward, earned WNY's Golden Boot Award after finishing the season with a club-high nine goals. Kerr's total was three more than that of 2013 when she finished with six goals and five assists. She added four assists this season.

"Sam had a very good season for us. She improved her productivity, she showed very good progress in her development and showed she has wonderful potential," Lines said. "Sam's only 20 years old and in her second year in the NWSL, the best league in the world. She's a wonderful talent, still with room to grow and become even better."

Thankyou to everyone at the @WNYFlash :) been a disappointing season but made friends and memories I will never forget . ❤️💛 , back to AUS..

There will be a decent amount of turnover on this roster, Lines told me recently. I'll have more on the future of the Flash and the NWSL and Abby Wambach as we approach the U.S. women's Sept. 18 match at Sahlen's Stadium against Mexico in their final tune-up before World Cup qualifying. I'm sure Wambach & Co. are going to love being back on that turf one more time this year.

FLASH ASSISTANT LEAVES FOR ENGLAND: Pedro Losa, a native of Spain who assisted Lines each of the past two-plus seasons, has left the club to take the head coaching position for the Arsenal Ladies of the FA Women's Super League. "Pedro built amazing relationships with everyone in our community, and though I am sad to see him leave our family, I am incredibly proud of this accomplishment and excited with him for this opportunity," Lines said in a statement. Losa's presence was key in bringing Spanish midfielders Vicky Losada and Sonia Bermudez to the Flash this season.

FOUR REPEAT ON NWSL BEST XI: Sky Blue defender Christie Rampone, FC Kansas City defender Becky Sauerbrunn, Seattle Reign FC midfielder Jess Fishlock and FC Kansas City forward Lauren Holiday were each voted to the Best XI for the second consecutive season. For the full list, click here.

Sports striker:
Jeff DiVeronica covers all things sports. Known for his soccer coverage in Rochester the past two decades, now he tackles compelling stories in any sport. He’s opinionated, passionate and Italian. In fact, his first sports hero before Cal Ripken was Rocky Balboa. He also teaches a sports writing class at his alma mater, St. John Fisher College, and has hosted the Canandaigua National Bank and Trust High School Sports Show, heard Saturdays at noon on Fox Sports 1280, since 2003. He and his wife, Chrissy, live in Webster with daughter, Francesca, and dog, Ernie.